1
as in snake
a limbless reptile with a long body
an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl
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2
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
a serpent in their midst had betrayed the revolutionaries to the authorities
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serpent
It is thought that the Greek myth could be a retelling of an older Babylonian tale, in which the hero Gilgamesh slayed a colossal dog-headed, winged serpent known as a Mush-dragon.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 May 2026
For tonight’s look, Petsa and Graham looked to the designer’s fall 2026 collection and its serpent-skin dress as a starting point.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Those serpents include six rattlesnake species and non-rattlers, such as the Copperhead, Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and Eastern Coral snakes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Slowly, very slowly, the serpent’s erectile head came up, up, cantilevered from its upper body, its firm, columnar upper body.
—John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 May 2026
For tonight’s look, Petsa and Graham looked to the designer’s fall 2026 collection and its serpent-skin dress as a starting point.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Those serpents include six rattlesnake species and non-rattlers, such as the Copperhead, Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and Eastern Coral snakes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Slowly, very slowly, the serpent’s erectile head came up, up, cantilevered from its upper body, its firm, columnar upper body.
—John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serpent
Noun
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Hauser said the crew once paused filming at a location after finding 40 to 50 rattlesnakes in the area, and Reilly said the snakes were relocated unharmed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
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As the snakes leap, jump and slither in a bid to escape, Kennedy manages to grab one in each hand, narrowly dodging their attempts to snag a mouthful of his skin.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The Comedy Central series' new episode, which aired Wednesday, continued its season-long thread of mocking Trump and depicting him in a romantic relationship with Satan.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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The show continues to run with its gag of depicting Trump with comically small genitals and as Satan’s lover.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Queen Seymour is on the run as a traitor, having literally sunk one palace, while Queen Howard practices spycraft right under her husband’s nose.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Lack of support compounded 'traitor' narrative, Greene says Greene was one of the president's earliest and loudest supporters during his first term, and worked relentlessly on his reelection campaign in 2024, appearing with the president at multiple events.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Dangerous reptiles like cobras, mambas, vipers, anacondas and rattlesnakes are all banned from private ownership.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
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Once revived, the viper immediately bites the farmer.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Amazon television series Good Omens, which ended this month, came closest—but that book, a comedy about an angel and a devil teaming up to avert Armageddon, was co-written with Neil Gaiman, and the source material ran out after the first season in any case.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
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Angels and devils working together to stop Armageddon.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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It’s been three years since Spoon’s last album, Lucifer on the Sofa.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
26 Aug. 2025
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Griffin’s other credits include The Bad Guy, Jersey Boys, Lucifer and S.W.A.T., to name just a few.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serpent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serpent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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